Police force asks for eighth officer

Talk about it

Two Harbors Police Chief Chris Donald wants an officer added to his staff and let the City Council know it during a meeting Monday night.

Governmental aid cuts led to the council decision to not replace an officer who left the force in May. Donald wants the position added to put two officers on in the evenings.

“They want a partner when working the night shift,” Donald said at a finance/personnel meeting Monday. “We need eight guys … especially for coverage at night.”

Some city council members echoed a similar tone.

“I don’t feel comfortable with those guys going in by themselves,” council member John Dover said. “It doesn’t take much for someone [a perpetrator] to snap.”

Funding is the issue.

“I don’t know if there is a way to get the money or not,” council member Steve Detlefsen said.

Council member Mary Henjum Rosati wondered if there was a need for an eighth officer. “I see five sitting here right now and no one’s been called out,” she said. “We are going to have to do some digging [to find the funds].”

The council will discuss their options at a special meeting next week.

In other council news:

- City Attorney Steve Overom said he has not heard back from Sam Cave on whether or not he will take his case against the city to Minnesota Supreme Court. He has until Monday to decide.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Sept. 17 upheld a decision favoring Two Harbors in its dispute against Cave on the zoning, use and ownership of his waterfront property.

- A bow hunting ordinance that would allow for taking deer in city limits was also discussed. Councilors made it clear that the ordinance would not be in place for this year’s hunting season.

- Mayor Randy Bolen discussed the reconstruction of First Avenue between the 400 and 700 blocks. He would like to see crews work on the project as soon as they can. “As soon as the ground allows it,” he said.

- The council approved a resolution accepting a proposal for boulevard trees to be planted on the reconstructed Waterfront Drive for about $12,900. The trees would be between 10 and 15 feet in height.

Tags: two harbors, news, city council, police department